Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that something is surprising in Japanese, from mild surprise to shock, including common adjectives, verbs, and phrases.
Describing something as surprising or unexpected in a neutral or positive way.
A formal adjective meaning 'surprising' or 'astonishing'. Often used in news or reports.
驚くべきニュースが飛び込んできた。
Surprising news came in.
Means 'unexpected' or 'surprising' when something differs from what you thought. Common in daily conversation.
意外な結果になった。
It was a surprising result.
Used as a noun-modifier meaning 'surprising'. Often in phrases like 驚きの事実 (surprising fact).
驚きの事実が明らかになった。
A surprising fact came to light.
Means 'astonishing' or 'miraculous', often for extraordinary achievements or numbers.
驚異的なスピードで成長した。
It grew at a surprising speed.
Expressing that you are surprised by something.
The basic verb 'to be surprised'. Use 驚いた for past tense.
その知らせを聞いて驚いた。
I was surprised to hear the news.
A very common casual expression meaning 'to be surprised' or 'startled'. Often used in daily conversation.
突然の訪問にびっくりした。
I was surprised by the sudden visit.
Passive form meaning 'to be surprised' (by someone/something). Emphasizes the cause of surprise.
彼の才能には驚かされる。
I am surprised by his talent.
Short expressions used when you are surprised.
A common interjection of surprise, like 'What?!' or 'Huh?!'.
えっ！本当？
What?! Really?
Expresses disbelief or surprise, like 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!'.
まさか！そんなことがあるなんて。
No way! I can't believe that happened.
Literally 'lie!', used like 'No way!' or 'You're joking!'.
うそ！信じられない。
No way! I can't believe it.
Expressing that something is shockingly bad or disturbing.
Means 'shocking' or 'traumatic'. Used for news or events that are deeply disturbing.
衝撃的な映像が流れた。
Shocking footage was shown.
To be shocked. Often used for personal emotional impact.
その知らせにショックを受けた。
I was shocked by the news.
驚く (odoroku) is more formal and can be used in writing. びっくりする (bikkuri suru) is casual and very common in speech. Both mean 'to be surprised', but びっくりする often implies a sudden, startled reaction.
English often uses 'surprising' as an adjective before nouns. In Japanese, it's more natural to use a relative clause like 驚くような (odoroku you na) or 意外な (igai na) instead of trying to directly translate 'surprising' in all contexts.
To be dumbfounded or taken aback, often by something unexpected.
その光景にあっけにとられた。
I was surprised by the sight.